Nolpaza Pantoprazole 20mg – Tablets for Acid Reflux, Gastritis & Heartburn

What is Nolpaza 20mg?

Nolpaza 20mg belongs to the group of medicines called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). It blocks the proton pump in gastric parietal cells, thereby reducing the secretion of gastric acid.

Nolpaza Indications

• Treatment and prevention of ulcers in the stomach or duodenum
• Treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Treatment of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

You may also be advised to change your diet and lifestyle: stop smoking, avoid alcohol and stress, eat smaller meals throughout the day, tilt the head of your bed upward, and increase consumption of milk products.

Before Taking Nolpaza

Do not use Nolpaza if you are allergic to it or to similar medicines such as omeprazole or esomeprazole. Allergy symptoms include itching, redness, swelling of the face or tongue, or difficulty breathing — contact your doctor immediately if any of these occur.

Use with great caution if you have liver damage or are taking NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Brufen), diclofenac (Diklofen), indomethacin, meloxicam (Movalis), celecoxib or rofecoxib.

It is very important to exclude cancer as a possible diagnosis before using Nolpaza, as it may mask cancer symptoms. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience painful swallowing, blood in the stool (dark stool), vomiting accompanied by blood, or weakness.

Nolpaza may rarely lead to vitamin B12 deficiency and anaemia. It may also reduce blood magnesium levels (hypomagnesaemia) — consult your doctor if you experience numbness or heart disorders such as rapid heartbeat. Long-term use may lead to bone damage and increase the risk of fractures, particularly in patients with osteoporosis.

Use During Pregnancy and Breast-feeding

Nolpaza should only be used during pregnancy if the benefit to the mother outweighs the risk to the child. It can pass into breast milk — avoid breast-feeding while using this medication.

How to Take Nolpaza 20mg

Take Nolpaza in the morning after getting up, with a glass of lukewarm water. Swallow the tablet whole — do not crush it. Do not eat breakfast for at least 30 minutes after taking it. The usual dose for patients over 12 years is 20 mg once daily. The dose may be increased in severe conditions. Your doctor will determine the duration of treatment.

Interactions

Do not take Nolpaza with: anticoagulants (warfarin/Farin, acenocoumarol/Sintrom, Sinkum 4), digoxin, antifungals (itraconazole, fluconazole, ketoconazole), antibiotics (ampicillin, amoxicillin, rifampicin), HIV medicines, methotrexate, or St John’s Wort. Tell your doctor about all medications and herbal medicines you are taking.

Possible Side Effects

Nolpaza may cause: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea (which may be accompanied by blood), bloating, abdominal pain, dry mouth, flu-like symptoms (sore throat, fever), hallucinations, muscle pain, headache, flushing, dizziness, liver damage (manifested by jaundice — yellowing of the skin and eyes), anaemia, and allergic reactions. Contact your doctor if any side effect occurs.